One Hundredth of a Point

Since we discovered that Ernie's cancer had metastisized into his bones he has responded really well to treatment.  He takes Casodex daily, gets Zometa infusions monthly and gets Zoladex injections every three months.  His PSA has repeatedly been showing up as undetectable which is defined as "less than 0.1." Well since his bloodwork was somehow screwed up the other day he took his blood test for his PSA when we were at the Cancer Center.  So they called yesterday and told him it had come back as 0.1...i.e. NOT undetectable.  Now I gotta admit this really threw me.  My stomach felt like cement.  The oncologist said he didn't see it as a significant change so we will just stay the course so to speak.  The afternoon felt a bit surreal.....busy at work....thinking about Ernie.....wanting to be at home to get ready for the party.  A weird combination of things.

When I take the time to settle down and think about it however I realize that as always, I need to keep things in perspective.  We KNOW the stuff is there and although it's been registering at <0.1 that could reasonably have been 0.09 all along....which means I'm possibly getting stressed out about a 0.01 change.....a freaking hundredth of a point.  

So I need to relax and enjoy all that is good about our lives.....of which last night's party was a confirmation.  And off to Maine next week and we get to see my sister Debbie.....and just sit and stare at the ocean.  It will do us good.....